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Post by zaku on Sept 23, 2022 5:34:17 GMT -5
Seriously, while I can imagine how the kids of that time were crazy about these absurd stories and today we enjoy reading them precisely because they are absurd, I understand why if an adult at the time had appreciated them in a non-ironic way, others would have thought that he was some kind of a weirdo.
I honestly know practically nothing of post-CCA 1950s American non-superhero comic production, but I doubt much of it would have been appreciated by adults too. Perhaps some war comics?
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shaxper
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Post by shaxper on Sept 23, 2022 6:33:56 GMT -5
Seriously, while I can imagine how the kids of that time were crazy about these absurd stories and today we enjoy reading them precisely because they are absurd, I understand why if an adult at the time had appreciated them in a non-ironic way, others would have thought that he was some kind of a weirdo. I honestly know practically nothing of post-CCA 1950s American non-superhero comic production, but I doubt much of it would have been appreciated by adults too. Perhaps some war comics? Honestly, I really am enjoying most of them (well, maybe not last issue...) precisely because the imagination is so big and wild that it makes me feel like a kid again. Same reason I continue to defend Secret Wars as being great reading. |
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shaxper
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Post by shaxper on Sept 23, 2022 10:46:39 GMT -5
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Post by Hoosier X on Sept 23, 2022 16:32:50 GMT -5
I’ve actually read the story about the hillbilly musician who comes to Gotham and sings the ballad of Batman. It’s in one of those 80-Page Giants from the 1960s and I’ve got it in digital form. I don’t remember it that well, but I sure don’t remember hating it or anything.
Hopefully, this weekend I can find some time to read it again and comment about it.
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shaxper
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Post by shaxper on Sept 23, 2022 16:37:54 GMT -5
I’ve actually read the story about the hillbilly musician who comes to Gotham and sings the ballad of Batman. It’s in one of those 80-Page Giants from the 1960s and I’ve got it in digital form. I don’t remember it that well, but I sure don’t remember hating it or anything. Hopefully, this weekend I can find some time to read it again and comment about it. "Thoroughly forgettable" is how I'd sum it up. |
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Post by zaku on Sept 24, 2022 3:10:25 GMT -5
Seriously, while I can imagine how the kids of that time were crazy about these absurd stories and today we enjoy reading them precisely because they are absurd, I understand why if an adult at the time had appreciated them in a non-ironic way, others would have thought that he was some kind of a weirdo. I honestly know practically nothing of post-CCA 1950s American non-superhero comic production, but I doubt much of it would have been appreciated by adults too. Perhaps some war comics? Honestly, I really am enjoying most of them (well, maybe not last issue...) precisely because the imagination is so big and wild that it makes me feel like a kid again. Same reason I continue to defend Secret Wars as being great reading. Oh I get it! Mine was a curiosity about how an adult reading them in the 1950s would be perceived! And I doubt it would have made him feel "a kid", considering that they were kids in the 30s, so with a totally different pop culture and collective imaginary. |
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Post by Prince Hal on Sept 24, 2022 12:38:17 GMT -5
You must grade on effort as well as achievement.  Bravo! |
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Post by Hoosier X on Sept 24, 2022 18:33:53 GMT -5
That Ballad of Batman story is SO WEIRD.
I think Sam Strong is based on Woody Guthrie or Pete Segar, but very loosely. Batman seems like a great subject for a folk song ... and I think this story might have worked a little better if a real songwriter had taken a crack at the actual song.
I love the way Sam become an instant sensation in Gotham City. Remember ... it’s a weird place. And they are obsessed with Batman.
And then ... that weird segment where Sam sees what the Dynamic Duo is doing to fight the criminals that are blocking the TV signal ... and Sam incorporates it into his song and then walks around, performing for the Gothamites ... and the bad guys overhear!
That’s just how information gets passed around in Gotham City! I’m surprised the criminals didn’t miss it entirely because they decided to cut through an alley!
I give these stories a lot of points based on what they tell us about Gotham City as much as based on how good they are. It ends up being a very different rating system because Gotham City is bonkers.
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Post by Hoosier X on Sept 24, 2022 18:36:15 GMT -5
Hey, shax! Have you ever read the Worlds Finest story with the Crime Rocket?
I want to see the Bat-Train vs. the Crime Rocket!
I’m pretty sure I’ll have to write that one myself!
Also ... Kite-Man vs. Batarang X!
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Post by Rob Allen on Sept 24, 2022 19:06:49 GMT -5
Guthrie and Seeger were thin. I think Sam Strong may have been based on Burl Ives. He's the best-known fat folksinger I can think of.
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Post by Hoosier X on Sept 24, 2022 20:13:11 GMT -5
Guthrie and Seeger were thin. I think Sam Strong may have been based on Burl Ives. He's the best-known fat folksinger I can think of. A few years later, Sam Strong was in the DC Universe’s version of the Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer TV special. He was a talking snowman. |
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shaxper
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Post by shaxper on Sept 24, 2022 21:36:16 GMT -5
That Ballad of Batman story is SO WEIRD. I think Sam Strong is based on Woody Guthrie or Pete Segar, but very loosely. My first guess was Fess Parker since the Ballad of Davy Crocket was a huge hit around the time of this story's publication, but Parker looks nothing like the oddly specific singer they gave us.  |
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shaxper
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Post by shaxper on Sept 24, 2022 21:38:03 GMT -5
Hey, shax! Have you ever read the Worlds Finest story with the Crime Rocket? Nearly all Batman stories published between 1941 and 1963 are totally foreign to me, thus my enthusiasm for this thread! I do hope the Crime Rocket is a little more carefully considered than the Bat Train was. |
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shaxper
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Post by shaxper on Sept 24, 2022 21:40:58 GMT -5
I think Sam Strong may have been based on Burl Ives. He's the best-known fat folksinger I can think of. Not a perfect match, but they at least have the same build:    |
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Post by Hoosier X on Sept 24, 2022 22:05:52 GMT -5
Hey, shax! Have you ever read the Worlds Finest story with the Crime Rocket? Nearly all Batman stories published between 1941 and 1963 are totally foreign to me, thus my enthusiasm for this thread! I do hope the Crime Rocket is a little more carefully considered than the Bat Train was. I love the Crime Rocket! It’s barely developed at all! The real focus of the story is the feud between Bat-Mite and Mr. Mxyzptlk. Worlds Finest #113. The Batman-Superman team is briefly sidetracked by the chaos caused by the feud while they are trying to capture the Crime Rocket criminals. |
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